Investing for Life Podcast – Rear Admiral Lee Goddard CSC

"The most terrifying things at sea are when the thing you predicted might happen, actually happens."
 
This episode of the Investing for Life podcast explores the remarkable career, service and life journey of Rear Admiral Lee Goddard CSC. As someone who has spent his life facing into uncertainty, setbacks and challenges, Lee shares several stories with our host, Douglas Isles, about what happens when you have no other option but to face up to your worst fears.

After 34 years in the Royal Australian Navy responding to life-threatening situations like people smuggling and refugees lost at sea, Lee has learned a lot about leadership, decision making and resilience, and has now transferred those skills beyond defence. He explores what inspired this change, and shares what life is like today, through his work with AUKUS, the Minderoo Foundation, and as Chair of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
 
This is a fascinating discussion that tackles disconnection from family, keeping an open mind, and how the way you respond to major challenges defines your character and leadership qualities. In Lee’s words: “I think what I would be most proud as a leader, is if people remember how I achieved things, rather than what I achieved – even with my family.”
 
Listen to this conversation to:

• Learn about Lee’s origins as ‘a boy from the suburbs’ who joined the Navy as a teenager to escape banality;

• Discover the many setbacks and challenges he has faced at sea, including the most challenging moments like dealing with people smuggling and refugees lost at sea;

• Learn his first-hand experience of spending long periods away from family and friends, and how he built resilience;

• Hear how his experience in recruiting helped him realise first impressions are not always correct (and how that applies in the investing world); and

• Discover why, after a 30+ year career in the Navy at age 50, Lee made the significant decision to explore a new path.

Investing for Life is hosted by Douglas Isles, Platinum Asset Management. If you would like to listen to Episode 1, where Douglas introduces the concept behind the Investing for Life podcast series, it can be accessed here. 

Investing professionally requires a long-term focus underpinned by a strong philosophy. At Platinum, three core principles underpin our investment approach: we look for companies that are facing temporary setbacks, investigate long-term change, and avoid the crowd. We believe these same three principles can also be applied to life and lead to better outcomes over the long run.

In this podcast series, Douglas explores each of these three principles with a variety of guests to discover the setbacks they have overcome, the changes they have made to improve their odds of achieving long-term happiness, and how they stand out from the crowd.

Disclaimer: Issued by Platinum Investment Management Limited ABN 25 063 565 006, AFSL 221935. This information is general in nature and does not take into account your specific needs or circumstances. You should consider your own financial position, objectives and requirements and seek professional financial advice before making any financial decisions.